The Communications Manager's role involves spearheading a variety of communication-related endeavors, including Media Relations/PR, Internal Communications, Issues Management, and Thought Leadership, all while representing the Mastercard brand across its diverse business segments, products, services, and Corporate Communications. A crucial part of this position is the ability to navigate a multifaceted environment, engaging effectively with numerous stakeholders. This role requires adaptability and the skill to handle rapidly evolving scenarios, in addition to possessing the interpersonal and professional competencies necessary for collaborating with a wide-ranging local and virtual team. The incumbent must excel in orchestrating projects and managing agency teams, alongside demonstrating the autonomy to lead initiatives independently when external agency support is not available.
Need-to-Know Overview of a Communications Manager
1. Communications Manager Duties and Functions
- Identify and develop opportunities to proactively tell the Mastercard story through media and influencer engagements.
- Handle media inquiries and identify issues that could impact Mastercard’s reputation.
- Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, influencers and external stakeholders.
- Determine the right media mix to use in support of planned product/service launches and corporate announcements.
- Develop clear and compelling content for various audiences and Communications channels (articles, blogs, speaking points, videos and social media posts).
- Identify speaking opportunities and develop materials to position Mastercard executives as industry experts and thought leaders in Canada.
- Build and manage strategic Internal Communications plans aligned to business objectives to enhance employee understanding and engagement levels.
- Develop and execute Internal Communications programs and supporting content across multiple vehicles (email, intranet, webcasts, videos and presentations).
- Lead quarterly employee town hall meetings and internal launch events.
- Research and recommend innovative practices to advance Internal Communications and employee engagement.
- Collaborate with regional and global Communications colleagues to localize relevant Internal and External Communications initiatives.
- Support regional North America Communications activities and projects outside of Canada, as needed.
2. Communications Manager Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications or equivalent
- Experience working in a global communications environment across multiple regions a plus
- Proven experience creating and implementing Internal Communications programs that drive employee understanding and engagement
- Existing relationships with technology, payment and business media and a solid understanding of the media landscape and trends in Canada
- Experience working with and/or managing PR agency teams
- Business-to-business communications experience, ideally in the payments or technology sector
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, demonstrated experience framing content for diverse audiences and comfort creating new materials
- Winning combination of strategic mindset and hands-on communications skills
- A collaborative spirit and excellent interpersonal skills; team players willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done
- Ability to maintain attention to detail and produce quality content in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment